Latest news with #PatStanchev
IOL News
12-05-2025
- IOL News
Rare-ant smugglers sentenced in African state
Two Belgians, a Vietnamese, and a Kenyan have pleaded guilty to wildlife trafficking and await sentencing on April 23 in Kenya Image: Kenya Wildlife Services A Kenyan court has sentenced four individuals to one year in prison or a fine of $7,700 each for attempting to illegally export thousands of live ants, including a rare species, the BBC reported. The convicted individuals, two Belgian nationals, one Vietnamese, and a Kenyan, were apprehended last month in Naivasha, a town in western Kenya, where they were found in possession of approximately 5,000 queen ants. Among the species collected was Messor cephalotes, a rare variety also referred to as the Giant African Harvester Ant. During the court proceedings, the accused pleaded guilty and claimed they were unaware that collecting the ants for hobbyist purposes was a criminal offense. However, the presiding judge noted in Wednesday's ruling that the quantity and type of ants involved indicated a deliberate effort to exploit valuable wildlife, adding that the offenders were not simply in possession of a few specimens. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the seized ants were reportedly intended for exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The smuggled ants, according to dealers in the UK, can be worth as much as £170 ($220) apiece. Commenting on the insects' popularity, Pat Stanchev, the general manager of the insect-trading website Best Ants UK, told the BBC that their appeal lies in their distinctive and beautiful appearance. KWS revealed that the suspects had prepared test tubes capable of sustaining the ants for up to two months, specifically to bypass airport screening procedures. The organization described the operation as 'premeditated' and called it a landmark in trafficking trends that shift from traditional poaching of large mammals toward lesser-known species. One of the Belgian nationals, David Lornoy, told Reuters that the group had not intended to violate any laws. 'We did not come here to break any laws. By accident and stupidity we did,' he said, appealing for leniency. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕
Russia Today
19-04-2025
- Russia Today
African state busts exotic-ant traffickers (IMAGES)
The Kenyan authorities have disrupted a major wildlife trafficking operation involving the attempted smuggling of approximately 5,000 live queen ants, including the rare Messor Cephalotes species, also known as the Giant African Harvester Ant. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) reported on Tuesday that the ants were destined for exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The smuggled ants, according to dealers in the UK, can be worth as much as £170 ($220) apiece. 'Investigations revealed that the test tubes had been designed to sustain the ants for up to two months and evade airport security detection,' the KWS said in a statement. The organization called the incident 'premeditated.' Four individuals – two Belgians, a Vietnamese, and a Kenyan – were apprehended on Monday and have pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession and trafficking of live wildlife. They are currently in custody and await sentencing scheduled for April 23. Reuters quoted David Lornoy, one of the Belgian smugglers, as saying, 'We did not come here to break any laws. By accident and stupidity we did,' and appealed for leniency. Images of the confiscated items published by the KWS show numerous containers lined with cotton wool, each containing two or three ants. 'This unprecedented case signals a shift in trafficking trends – from iconic large mammals to lesser-known yet ecologically critical species,' the KWS said in a statement. Messor cephalotes is a monogynous ant species, with colonies reaching up to 5,000 workers. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, which they gather and store within their nests – contributing significantly to the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and enhancing soil structure. The queen typically ranges in size from 22 to 25mm. Pat Stanchev, the general manager of the insect-trading website Best Ants UK, told the BBC that their appeal as pets comes from their large, beautiful appearance.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ant smugglers caught with hundreds of prized insects in Kenya
Four men have pleaded guilty in Kenya to trying to smuggle hundreds of highly sought-after ants out of the country. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which is more used to protecting larger creatures, such as lions and elephants, has described this as a "landmark case". The contraband included giant African harvester ants, which are valued by some UK dealers at up to £170 ($220) each. The case showed a "disturbing shift in trafficking patterns - from iconic mammals to lesser-known species that are vital to ecological balance", the KWS said. The suspects had concealed the creatures in "specially modified test tubes and syringes" which would have enabled the insects to survive for two months, the KWS said. There was also a "calculated attempt to bypass security systems" by obscuring the contents of the tubes. Photographs of the illegal haul shared by the KWS show hundreds of these containers packed with cotton wool, each with two or three ants. The exact number of insects involved is still being evaluated but KWS spokesperson Paul Udoto told the BBC this was the country's first case of "bio-piracy" on this scale. The four suspects – two Belgians, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan – were arrested after what the KWS has described as "a co-ordinated, intelligence-led operation". It is believed that the intended destinations were the exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The KWS said the demand for rare insect species is growing. Collectors keep them in special habitats, known as formicariums, and watch them build their colonies. The giant African harvester ant - or Messor cephalotes - is the largest of its species and can grow to around 20mm, with the queen growing up to 25mm. Pat Stanchev, the general manager of insect-dealing website Best Ants UK, said that it is their "big and beautiful size" that makes them attractive for those who want to keep them as pets. He does not sell the giant African harvester ant but told the BBC that he is aware of people who try to pass on illegally imported insects. In Kenya, the ants are protected by international bio-diversity treaties and their trade is highly regulated. "This prosecution sends a strong message that Kenya will enforce compliance… and marks a significant step forward in Kenya's fight against unconventional wildlife crimes," the KWS said. The four men are due to be sentenced on Tuesday. The snipers trained to protect rhinos Northern white rhinos: The audacious plan that could save a species Kenya receives 17 rare antelopes from the US Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ant smugglers caught with hundreds of prized insects in Kenya
Four men have pleaded guilty in Kenya to trying to smuggle hundreds of highly sought-after ants out of the country. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which is more used to protecting larger creatures, such as lions and elephants, has described this as a "landmark case". The contraband included giant African harvester ants, which are valued by some UK dealers at up to £170 ($220) each. The case showed a "disturbing shift in trafficking patterns - from iconic mammals to lesser-known species that are vital to ecological balance", the KWS said. The suspects had concealed the creatures in "specially modified test tubes and syringes" which would have enabled the insects to survive for two months, the KWS said. There was also a "calculated attempt to bypass security systems" by obscuring the contents of the tubes. Photographs of the illegal haul shared by the KWS show hundreds of these containers packed with cotton wool, each with two or three ants. The exact number of insects involved is still being evaluated but KWS spokesperson Paul Udoto told the BBC this was the country's first case of "bio-piracy" on this scale. The four suspects – two Belgians, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan – were arrested after what the KWS has described as "a co-ordinated, intelligence-led operation". It is believed that the intended destinations were the exotic pet markets in Europe and Asia. The KWS said the demand for rare insect species is growing. Collectors keep them in special habitats, known as formicariums, and watch them build their colonies. The giant African harvester ant - or Messor cephalotes - is the largest of its species and can grow to around 20mm, with the queen growing up to 25mm. Pat Stanchev, the general manager of insect-dealing website Best Ants UK, said that it is their "big and beautiful size" that makes them attractive for those who want to keep them as pets. He does not sell the giant African harvester ant but told the BBC that he is aware of people who try to pass on illegally imported insects. In Kenya, the ants are protected by international bio-diversity treaties and their trade is highly regulated. "This prosecution sends a strong message that Kenya will enforce compliance… and marks a significant step forward in Kenya's fight against unconventional wildlife crimes," the KWS said. The four men are due to be sentenced on Tuesday. The snipers trained to protect rhinos Northern white rhinos: The audacious plan that could save a species Kenya receives 17 rare antelopes from the US Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
